On October 29th, the Daviess County CEO Cohort had the privilege of visiting Belt Tech Industries, where they were treated to a wealth of entrepreneurial wisdom and warm hospitality. CEO Jordan Russell, COO Chris Kimball, and CFO Karli Woods shared the inspiring story of Belt Tech’s evolution—from a small local startup to an internationally recognized company.
Founded in 1990 by “two people with an idea,” Belt Tech began by meeting a local need for belt-splicing services. Over the years, it has grown to operate three locations and now serves customers across the globe. Jordan and Chris reflected on the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the company’s journey, emphasizing how a strong foundation of values continues to drive its success.
Core Values of Belt Tech:
*Honesty & Integrity
*Respect
*Drive
*Pride
They also shared their leadership philosophy, which includes:
Get the right people on the bus—and in the right seats.
1. Be rigorous, not ruthless.
2. Remember—the right people are your most important asset.
3. First who, then what!
These guiding principles shape not only Belt Tech’s business strategy but also its approach to teamwork and culture. The leaders encouraged the cohort to:
^^Find your place and know your potential
^^Set high standards and uphold them
^^Take pride in helping others grow
^^Maintain the human element in business
^^Foster a great work environment and culture
Jordan and Chris also shared valuable insights on sustaining business success—such as leveraging tradeshows to promote products and services, diversifying offerings to reduce risk, and staying adaptable through change and rebranding when needed. They recommended the book “Good to Great” and discussed time management using the “Rocks in a Bucket” illustration.
The visit concluded with a tour of Belt Tech’s impressive facility. The Daviess County CEO Cohort expressed sincere gratitude to Jordan, Karli, and Chris for their time, hospitality, and invaluable insights into what it takes to build and sustain a thriving business.
